Things are getting worrying in Kwara State — Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq says drug abuse among young people is spiralling, and he’s not mincing words about what’s at stake.

Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has raised the red flag over a troubling rise in drug abuse among Kwara’s youth, warning it’s fast becoming a threat to public health, security, and the future of an entire generation.

He made the remarks on Tuesday in Ilorin during the Anti-Substance Abuse Programme Stakeholders Conference, put together by the MTN Foundation to mark the 2026 International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, reports cbinews.tv.

The event pulled in the big players — the Kwara State Government, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, and MTN Foundation — all pushing for tighter collaboration to tackle substance abuse head-on.

Speaking plainly, AbdulRazaq said: “Drug abuse is not merely a law enforcement issue; it is a public health concern, a developmental challenge, and a threat to the future of our youths.”

He pointed out that drug trafficking networks are evolving and synthetic substances are easier to get, leaving young people more exposed than ever. The fallout? “It undermines educational attainment, destroys families, fuels criminal activities, affects productivity, and places significant strain on healthcare and social welfare systems.”

So what’s Kwara doing about it? The governor says it’s a four-pronged attack: prevention, treatment, rehabilitation, and enforcement. One of the headline moves is mandatory drug testing for students in tertiary institutions across the state.

But before you think it’s about punishment, he clarified: “This policy is not intended to stigmatise or punish young people. Rather, it is a proactive measure aimed at early detection, timely intervention and the provision of appropriate support services.”

There’s also a specialised rehab facility in the works. And it’s not just for Kwara. “When completed, the centre will serve not only the people of Kwara State but also provide specialised treatment and rehabilitation services to residents of other North Central states and neighbouring South-West states,” AbdulRazaq added, according to cbinews.tv.

Representing First Lady Olufolake AbdulRazaq, Commissioner for Social Development Mariam Nna-Fatima drove the point home: drug abuse is hitting youth productivity and wellbeing hard.

“This challenge cannot be left to government alone,” she said. “Parents, schools, religious institutions, community leaders, development partners and the private sector all have important roles to play in prevention, early intervention, treatment, rehabilitation and recovery.”

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